𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐘

𝐕𝐈𝐈 ━ 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔬𝔣𝔣𝔢𝔯

chapter seven
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"You... want us to move in with you?" Katherine blinked at Devon in slight disbelief, as if unsure of what she was even hearing.

Devon, like he had promised himself, waited exactly two months before springing the question onto Katherine in private. After treating her like a Queen, showering her with both attention, affection, and anything else she so desired, he was confidant that she would hardly refuse him. Not only that, but he had allowed for specified moments to coerce (Y/N)—not that she knew, of course—into becoming more comfortable with him. It was to the point where he would only lightly suggest something before she changed her habits to suit him.

It was certainly a desired notion.

More so, he had integrated himself into their lives little by little to an unbreakable point.

He hadn't overwhelmed them, no, as he didn't want to drive a wedge between them that would then become a barrier he could no longer hurdle across. Little by little, he forced himself into Katherine's and (Y/N)'s life in a natural way that couldn't be suspected by anyone—that is, he acted the part that they wanted with no qualms. He was happy to don whatever mask they so desired from him, so long as he also obtained what he wanted from them.

Which led to the situation at hand.

"Yes, I do," Devon smiled as he gently took Katherine's hand in his own, his thumb tenderly and lovingly caressing her skin. "I love both you and (Y/N), and would want nothing more than to open my home to the two of you. If it's not too forward... I'd like to think of ourself as a family."

Katherine's lips parted at his words, her eyes softening in affection.

Devon's lips twitched.

There it is.

"This is so sweet of you, Devon..." Katherine uttered softly as she squeezed his hand back, her smile softening as he merely took it a step further by lacing their fingers together. "But... I wouldn't want to impose. Not only that, but what about (Y/N)? The commute from your place to her school would take over an hour... that's just not ideal."

"Well... I was thinking about enrolling her here," Devon was quick to quell Katherine's worries by producing out the brochure of the private school he was intending for (Y/N) to attend. "Kingston Private Academy. It's only a five minute drive from my place, and its education and services are second to none. I believe it would be a perfect fit for (Y/N)."

"This place looks... expensive," Katherine frowned, her brows scrunching as she glanced over the brochure. "And, (Y/N)'s in her last year of high school. Why pull her out now? She would be so miserable if I were to do that..."

"But think of how this will benefit her, my dear," Devon continued to try and manipulate the strings of Katherine's heart.

How he wished she would dance in his palm.

Just like a perfect marionette.

It would be so much preferable.

"As she applies to colleges, think of how having Kingston on her application will improve her chances of getting accepted into the school of her choice," he urged with a charming smile as he tapped a finger on the top of the brochure. "As for expenses? I'd be more than happy to aid in (Y/N)'s continued education. I just want the best for her. Don't you, dear?"

Katherine bit her lip, as if contemplating, but Devon already knew her decision.

She would see it his way.

She always would.

"I suppose... to help her secure a bright future, you're right," Katherine finally yielded, not realizing how she had allowed another aspect of her freedom to be cut away by the subtle shards of Devon's manipulative tactics. "But... how are we going to break the news to her? She'll be... devastated, angry, confused... I don't even want to think about."

"We'll tell her together," Devon consoled Katherine, drawing her in tightly for a comforting hug. "After all, we're doing this for her."

"Right..." Katherine murmured. "We're doing this for (Y/N)..."

"Exactly."

Therefore, the two planned to inform (Y/N) of their plans that evening over dinner. As expected, she hardly took the news well at all, at first in denial, writing it all off as a joke, and then in angered disbelief that they were practically ripping her from her life just because they wanted to. Devon stayed calm the entire time, having already known (Y/N) would react in a hostile manner, but Katherine was quite the opposite. Her expression was scrunched in hurt and guilt as she tried to talk, but (Y/N) hardly noticed, too caught up in her own anger to.

Devon drummed his fingers against the table as he watched the two women argue.

This is to be expected.

(Y/N), as a teenager, doesn't like change. Then again, she doesn't like permanence. Therefore, she only allows change when she wants it.

This isn't one of those times.

It's almost... cute.

Like a small temper tantrum.

How endearing.

Propping his head up, the corners of his lips tilting upwards ever so slightly, he watched the anger flame in (Y/N)'s (E/C) eyes, somewhat entranced by how the sparks so clearly flew around within her gaze. Closing his eyes momentarily as he let out a small breath through his nose, he took his hand away from his cheek to bring to his mouth, clearing his throat and gaining both Katherine's and (Y/N)'s attention.

"Katherine, (Y/N)," he smiled at both of them, not an ounce of hesitation in his mannerisms as he continued. "Please don't bicker. Yes, (Y/N), your mother and I have decided to take the next step in our relationship, so that includes you, because your mother cares so much about you. As do I. All we want is the best for you. The best clothes, the best education, the best chances. You want that as well, don't you? A chance to be everything you've ever wanted to be—a writer?"

(Y/N) hesitated at that.

Devon's smile turned almost serpentine.

"See?" He then hummed as he patted her hand gently. "Even you cannot say 'no' to such a chance. I promise you... you'll have everything you want and more. It's for the best."

Just like that, another string was attached.

And just like that, his control tightened.

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To be continued...